Apopka On Twins' List Minnesota Considers New Base For Minors

November 22, 1985|By John Wark of The Sentinel Staff

APOPKA — With one eye cocked on the short traveling distance between Apopka and Tinker Field, Minnesota Twins President Howard Fox began talks this week with Apopka's mayor to discuss moving the Twins' minor-league spring-training camp here.

The Twins' spring-training minor-league camp is located in Melbourne at the Melbourne Regional Airport. A spokesman for the airport was surprised to learn Thursday that the Twins may be planning to leave.

The team's major-league spring-training camp is in Orlando.

Apopka Mayor John H. Land said he was contacted earlier this week by Fox and asked if the city would be interested in the Twins' minor-league camp.

''I think it would be exciting to have activities like that,'' Land said.

''They are interested in Apopka because it is a close hop to Orlando. We have not discussed cost or anything in detail yet. I told them to contact the Apopka Chamber of Commerce next,'' the mayor said. ''We're really at the starting stage.''

Land publicly reported on the discussion Wednesday night at a meeting of the Apopka City Council. The mayor's going public so soon appeared to catch some in the Twins organization flat-footed.

''There's nothing in our immediate plans that's going to make us make any changes in our major- or minor-league plans -- at least nothing in the next year or so,'' said Andy MacPhail, vice president of player development for the Twins in Minnesota.

''Under even the most expedited plan you can't make that move any earlier than 16 months. But we've never even got off the point of talking about it philosophically.''

Jim Rantz, assistant farm director, said, ''Some clubs like to have major and minor clubs closer together because there are less transportation problems, the staffs get together more often and you can shift guys back and forth easier.''

Before the minor-league club could move to Apopka, facilities would have to be constructed, including baseball fields, diamonds and a clubhouse with dressing rooms, Land said.

Melbourne Airport Assistant Director George Pittman said he has heard nothing about plans to move the minor-league camp from the airport. Pittman said the farms clubs have used the airport site for 20 years and have exercised an option to extend their lease to 1990.